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Cats love to steal small objects, but what causes this penchant for pilfering? Here are a few reasons cats run off with your things.
Most cat owners have a story of their feline friend stealing household objects such as socks, hair ties or paper balls. Cats are curious by nature and love to get their paws on these everyday objects as a way to get attention, initiate playtime or meet some other need. Though your feline’s affinity for walking away with objects is not a cause for concern, there are certain cases where Kitty’s kleptomania can be a problem. Here are some reasons your cat may be stealing:
1. He is bored. Cats are natural hunters and though keeping Kitty indoors prolongs his life and protects the wildlife outside, an indoor lifestyle can be less than stimulating for domesticated cats. With less stimulation than they would normally get in the wild, housecats are left to their own devices to create new ways to keep their clever brains active, which can lead to stealing household objects. Try giving your pet plenty of playtime when you are home to relieve some of his pent-up energy. You may even want to consider getting him a companion animal to keep him entertained while you are away from home.
2. He wants attention. Another common cause behind cat stealing objects is to get you to notice him. Particularly if you are away from home for long hours, your pet may be dragging your slippers across the house to initiate some interaction. Though this can be frustrating, remember that he considers you part of his family and this call for attention is ultimately an act of affectionate. Be sure you are giving your pet a daily dose of affection and interactive playtime to help curb this attention-seeking behavior.
3. He is letting you know his needs. Cats will dash around the house with stolen objects when they want something from you. A cat who is hungry, for example, will sometimes act out to let you know he has a need. In the wild, cats tend to feed throughout the day, so stealing your sock is a common way Kitty lets you know his is in search of a snack. If your cat tends to chew on his pilfered objects, you may want to give him a food puzzle to help curb his cravings in an engaging way.
4. He is being territorial. Though less common, cats will sometime steal small objects to assert their “ownership” over them. Mother cats who have been separated from their kittens are also known to carry objects in their mouths as as they would carry small kittens in. display of maternal instinct. Kitty kleptomania is typically a harmless habit, but there are some cases where this should cause concern. Eating objects such as rubber bands can block his digestive system and is a serious cause for alarm. Other cases where feline pilfering should raise red flags include a marked change from your pet’s normal habits, as any significant behavioral shift can indicate underlying pain or illness. If, however, Kitty’s stealing habit is simply playful, you can counteract it by giving him plenty of attention and a stimulating environment with plenty of perches, toys and hiding spots. Reward good behavior such as dropping the stolen object if you wish to discourage stealing, as scolding your cat will only encourage him to continue by providing him the attention he is seeking.
Some dogs love to swim, but many are afraid to even get close to the water. Here are a few tips for helping Fido overcome his fears.
Many dogs love to swim, but some are afraid to even get close to the water. Whether his aversion to beaches, lakes and pools stems from a bad experience or your pet is simply cautious by nature, there are ways to help him feel more confident in the bath and at the beach.
To help your dog adjust to the water, it is best to introduce him to it at home where he feels safe and comfortable. Do not expect too much too fast, however, as forcing him into water can actually increase anxiety surrounding baths or swimming. To help him adjust at his own pace, introduce your dog to gradually by filling the tub with only a small amount of warm water. Offer him treats and praise when he remains calm in the tub and be sure to stay calm yourself, as dogs are masters at reading social cues. Over time as your dog shows signs of feeling comfortable, you can add more water. Try adding toys to the tub, too, to help distract your pet from a stressful soak. If you have a yard, you can also invest in a kiddie pool during the hot months of the year to entice your pet with a cooling dip to show him that getting wet can be an enjoyable experience. If he begins to relax and play in the pool, you can join in the fun, too. Other ways to introduce your dog to water include playing catch with the sprinklers on, letting him explore puddles during walks, petting him with a wet washcloth, and simply walking close to a lake or ocean during his daily exercise.
After your dog has mastered feeling confident in the water at home, you can bring him to the ocean or lake. If he has canine companions, arrange for a group outing so your pet can see his friends swimming and learn from them that water can be fun. Continue to offer praise as he wades even into the shallows, which will boost your dog’s confidence and form positive associations with the water. If you begin to get frustrated at any point, take a break or try again another day, as your pet can sense a sour mood and will begin to associate it with swimming.
Some dogs are frightened of swimming and respond well to a personal floatation device similar to the life jackets humans wear. With the confidence that he will not sink and a swaddling effect that many animals find comforting, your pet may be able to relax more and truly enjoy his time in a lake, pool or ocean. During bath time, make sure your tub is outfitted with a rubber mat to prevent slipping and consider investing in a nozzle for rinsing, as a deluge from a bucket can be off-putting for pets that are still adjusting to water. With some time and patience, your four-legged companion should learn feel comfortable in the water, and may even learn to love swimming.
Cats are masters of landing on their feet, and for good reason—your pet has several physical attributes that give him great balance.
Cats are known for landing on their feet, but this level of feline finesse requires some complicated physics. Thanks to their keen flexibility and a specially designed inner ear, cats are masters of landing on their feet even from the most precarious of falls.
Cats have more vertebrae in their bodies than humans, allowing them to twist and turn with agility when they need to react quickly. This is especially important when your companion jumps or falls, as a cat uses his fast reflexes and flexibility to land on his feet. To do this, your pet uses his sense of sight and inner-ear balancing system to quickly determine which way is up, and then then rotates his front paws so they face downward. His lower body follows suit, allowing Kitty to quickly and seamlessly land on his feet.
In addition to their flexible spines, cats have other physical traits that help them land with grace, including their small bodies, light bones, and thick fur that serves to slow falls and soften impacts. Their collarbones afford them additional flexibility, too, as these bones are free-floating in felines, unlike other mammals. If you’ve ever noticed your pet fall back-first, you probably saw him twist his front end so his paws face the ground, with his hind legs following suit. His tail helps him realign during the fall, keeping Kitty level until he makes contact with the ground.
Even young kittens are adept at sticking their landings, as cats as young as seven weeks have developed an inner-ear apparatus known as the cochlea that provides a keen sense of balance. This fluid-filled feature combined with his sense of sight helps Kitty orient himself quickly when a righting reaction is needed at lightning speed. Even with their great sense of balance, however, it is important to keep cats living in upper-story apartments inside, as curious feline have been known fall out of windows attempting to chase birds or other animals. Though cats can often right their falls in less than a second, this does not mean they are immune to injuries from falling. Broken bones, missing teeth and trauma can result from a fall, sometimes with fatal results, so be sure to protect your pet by keeping windows closed. If you want to help him enjoy the outdoors safely from his home, you can invest in a perch or other accessory designed to give your pet unfettered views of his surroundings.
